HD Pentax‐D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW

**luftfluss** · 10-19-2022, 07:59 AM - **1 Like**

I think this lens was an "easy win" for Pentax, similar to the HD refreshes of the Limited lenses. They determined that the old design is still sufficiently sharp for now and (at least) the near future, and the fact that they were able to drastically reduce purple fringing is a very pleasant surprise. Really an excellent, economical job by Pentax.

Mistral75 · 10-19-2022, 08:42 AM - **2 Likes**

^ It's not the same design. There is no ED lens element in what you call "the old design".

**luftfluss** · 10-19-2022, 10:32 AM

Originally posted by Mistral75

^ It's not the same design. There is no ED lens element in what you call "the old design".

I meant "design" in the sense that it's probably still 9 elements in 8 groups, but I suppose I'm being overly presumptive about that

Wheatfield · 10-19-2022, 10:42 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by luftfluss

I meant "design" in the sense that it's probably still 9 elements in 8 groups, but I suppose I'm being overly presumptive about that

It looks like they have kept the form factor pretty much the same. That's gotta be good for something.

**luftfluss** · 10-19-2022, 12:28 PM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

It looks like they have kept the form factor pretty much the same. That's gotta be good for something.

Good point. A quick look at the Sony and Nikon equivalents shows much larger, heavier lenses. If you ever do insect photography and have to maneuver your camera through branches and foliage, having a smaller, narrower lens is a boon.

texandrews · 10-19-2022, 03:46 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by luftfluss

Good point. A quick look at the Sony and Nikon equivalents shows much larger, heavier lenses. If you ever do insect photography and have to maneuver your camera through branches and foliage, having a smaller, narrower lens is a boon.

Or a nest of electronics, or other bizarre artist-tech jazz....

cmohr · 10-19-2022, 05:53 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Belnan

I feel like perhaps a focus limiter would of been nice... And doable. Optically I'm sure it will be great.

Yes, A focus limiter would be great, Maybe something could be done with in-camera focus limiter in the software, Perhaps , like Pentax is currently doing with lens specific colour styles, when you buy this new macro, you get the code for a firmware update for the camera that unlocks "focus limiting" in camera. Can't see why a focus limit can't be controlled by the camera itself these days.

**disasterfilm** · 10-19-2022, 06:28 PM - **5 Likes**

I recognize people's lack of interest, and offer them this:

That sexy silver change any minds?

**luftfluss** · 10-19-2022, 06:38 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by cmohr

Yes, A focus limiter would be great, Maybe something could be done with in-camera focus limiter in the software, Perhaps , like Pentax is currently doing with lens specific colour styles, when you buy this new macro, you get the code for a firmware update for the camera that unlocks "focus limiting" in camera. Can't see why a focus limit can't be controlled by the camera itself these days.

That would be pretty cool! There are some MILCs that have this feature.

I wonder if there are any limitations of the KAF mount that would pose an obstacle to accomplishing this.

lemono · 10-19-2022, 06:38 PM

Originally posted by Mistral75

^ It's not the same design. There is no ED lens element in what you call "the old design".

In fact, it can be determined that the optical design has not changed. Before, Pentax did not mark the ED, but now it does. That ED has always existed.
The officially introduced dispersion improvement is most likely based on the improvement of tolerance control. It can be referred to the dispersion gap between engineering samples and mass products of DFA*50.
This improvement is AW and coating.

**bwgv001** · 10-19-2022, 06:43 PM - **3 Likes**

Ricoh Unveils a New 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens for Pentax DSLRs | PetaPixel

https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/k/macro/hdpentax-dfa-m...famacro100ed_e

**barondla** · 10-19-2022, 07:01 PM

The Peta Pixel report says 10 elements in 8 groups. This is one more than the 9 listed for the older lens. Is this a PP error?

Thanks,
barondla

**robbiec** · 10-19-2022, 08:04 PM

Originally posted by barondla

The Peta Pixel report says 10 elements in 8 groups. This is one more than the 9 listed for the older lens. Is this a PP error?

Thanks,
barondla

10 in 8 on Ricoh's site too.

sbc · 10-19-2022, 08:24 PM

Originally posted by disasterfilm

I recognize people's lack of interest, and offer them this:
That sexy silver change any minds?

People with silver limited collection should definitely get this!

**robbiec** · 10-19-2022, 08:30 PM

Originally posted by sbc

People with silver limited collection should definitely get this!

I have a black 100WR for but I'm thinking a silver 100AW for my K3iii - can't preorder it yet though in the EU.

10-19-2022, 06:43 PM - 3 Likes	#26
bwgv001 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 697	New 100 mm macro lens Ricoh Unveils a New 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens for Pentax DSLRs \| PetaPixel https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/k/macro/hdpentax-dfa-m...famacro100ed_e

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10-19-2022, 07:59 AM - 1 Like	#16
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,626	I think this lens was an "easy win" for Pentax, similar to the HD refreshes of the Limited lenses. They determined that the old design is still sufficiently sharp for now and (at least) the near future, and the fact that they were able to drastically reduce purple fringing is a very pleasant surprise. Really an excellent, economical job by Pentax.

10-19-2022, 08:42 AM - 2 Likes	#17
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527 Original Poster	^ It's not the same design. There is no ED lens element in what you call "the old design".

10-19-2022, 10:32 AM	#18
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,626	Originally posted by Mistral75 ^ It's not the same design. There is no ED lens element in what you call "the old design". I meant "design" in the sense that it's probably still 9 elements in 8 groups, but I suppose I'm being overly presumptive about that

10-19-2022, 10:42 AM - 1 Like	#19
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,986	Originally posted by luftfluss I meant "design" in the sense that it's probably still 9 elements in 8 groups, but I suppose I'm being overly presumptive about that It looks like they have kept the form factor pretty much the same. That's gotta be good for something.

10-19-2022, 12:28 PM	#20
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,626	Originally posted by Wheatfield It looks like they have kept the form factor pretty much the same. That's gotta be good for something. Good point. A quick look at the Sony and Nikon equivalents shows much larger, heavier lenses. If you ever do insect photography and have to maneuver your camera through branches and foliage, having a smaller, narrower lens is a boon.

10-19-2022, 03:46 PM - 2 Likes	#21
texandrews Moderator Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Baltimore Photos: Albums Posts: 3,396	Originally posted by luftfluss Good point. A quick look at the Sony and Nikon equivalents shows much larger, heavier lenses. If you ever do insect photography and have to maneuver your camera through branches and foliage, having a smaller, narrower lens is a boon. Or a nest of electronics, or other bizarre artist-tech jazz....

10-19-2022, 05:53 PM - 1 Like	#22
cmohr Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Brisbane. Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,824	Originally posted by Belnan I feel like perhaps a focus limiter would of been nice... And doable. Optically I'm sure it will be great. Yes, A focus limiter would be great, Maybe something could be done with in-camera focus limiter in the software, Perhaps , like Pentax is currently doing with lens specific colour styles, when you buy this new macro, you get the code for a firmware update for the camera that unlocks "focus limiting" in camera. Can't see why a focus limit can't be controlled by the camera itself these days.

10-19-2022, 06:28 PM - 5 Likes	#23
disasterfilm Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Texas Posts: 406	I recognize people's lack of interest, and offer them this: That sexy silver change any minds?

10-19-2022, 06:38 PM - 1 Like	#24
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,626	Originally posted by cmohr Yes, A focus limiter would be great, Maybe something could be done with in-camera focus limiter in the software, Perhaps , like Pentax is currently doing with lens specific colour styles, when you buy this new macro, you get the code for a firmware update for the camera that unlocks "focus limiting" in camera. Can't see why a focus limit can't be controlled by the camera itself these days. That would be pretty cool! There are some MILCs that have this feature. I wonder if there are any limitations of the KAF mount that would pose an obstacle to accomplishing this.

10-19-2022, 06:38 PM	#25
lemono Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 111	Originally posted by Mistral75 ^ It's not the same design. There is no ED lens element in what you call "the old design". In fact, it can be determined that the optical design has not changed. Before, Pentax did not mark the ED, but now it does. That ED has always existed. The officially introduced dispersion improvement is most likely based on the improvement of tolerance control. It can be referred to the dispersion gap between engineering samples and mass products of DFA*50. This improvement is AW and coating.

10-19-2022, 07:01 PM	#27
barondla Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: midwest, United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,715	The Peta Pixel report says 10 elements in 8 groups. This is one more than the 9 listed for the older lens. Is this a PP error? Thanks, barondla

10-19-2022, 08:04 PM	#28
robbiec Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cork Photos: Albums Posts: 1,882	Originally posted by barondla The Peta Pixel report says 10 elements in 8 groups. This is one more than the 9 listed for the older lens. Is this a PP error? Thanks, barondla 10 in 8 on Ricoh's site too.

10-19-2022, 08:24 PM	#29
sbc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Photos: Albums Posts: 357	Originally posted by disasterfilm I recognize people's lack of interest, and offer them this: That sexy silver change any minds? People with silver limited collection should definitely get this!

10-19-2022, 08:30 PM	#30
robbiec Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cork Photos: Albums Posts: 1,882	Originally posted by sbc People with silver limited collection should definitely get this! I have a black 100WR for but I'm thinking a silver 100AW for my K3iii - can't preorder it yet though in the EU.